Bale tie machine



Jan. 16, `1940. G. w. wHlTTlNGToN BALE TIE MACHINE Filed July 25, 19:58

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. 65e/wf W W/s//rr//varom Jan. 16, 1940; 5. w. wHlTTlNGTON BALE TIE MACHIlNE FiledvJuly 23,l 1938 5 sheets-sheet 2 145 /ffsJ INVENTOR ORNEYS.

Jan. 16, 1940. G. w. wHxTTlNGToN BALE TIE MACHINE Filed July 23, 1958 5 ISheets-Shee'fI 3 Jan. 1'6. 1940.` G. w. wHlTTlNG'roN BALE TIE MACHINE Filed July 23. 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented '16, 1940 -PATENT OFI-lcs BAIE TIE George W. Whittington, Indianapolis, Ind., as- 1 signor of one-*half to Charles C. Boite Application July 23, 1938, Serlll N0. 220,866

7Claims.

`This invention relates to a wire tying machine. The chief object of this invention is to fabricate twisted loop ends on wires which are adapted for use in the tying of material arranged in baie 5 formation, such as hay, straw, and the like. al-

though the invention is not restricted solely t0 bale wire loop formation.

Another object of the invention is to contin` uously fabricate bale wires of this general character from a suitable wire supply, usually in reel form, so that each bale wire when formed has a looped end of twisted anchor character and is of the desired length.

Another object of this invention is to provide and have the same simultaneously operable from .a common source of power for simultaneously forming a plurality of like bale wires having twisted loop ends. 4

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine which is capable ofy utilizing any gauge of wire within reason so that bale wires may be fabricated o several different gauges of wire without any adjustment whatsoever of the device, so that the bale wires thus formed of sube. "'stantially the same character, only 'having greater tensile strength for particular purpose for which they are intended to be used, dependent upon the gaugze and type of material comprising the wire stoc The chief feature of the invention consists in the formation of a machine capable-of accomplishing one or more of the foregoing objects and which machine is relatively simple in character operating parts of which are of permanent character, requiring little or no replacement during the life of 'the machine.

Other objects and features of the invention will 4U be set forth more fully hereinafter.

stood from the accompanying drawings and the following description and claims:

`In the drawings,

Fig. l is a top plan view of more especially the power portion of the machine embodying the invention, the twisted anchor. loop forming mechanism being also shown in plan view.

, Fig. 2 is a front elevational View of the machine with .parts omitted and looking at the bale tie discharge end thereof.

7'. Fig. 3 is a side -ievational view of the machine and is taken looking toward the right hand end ofthe-same, as shown inFig. 2. Y

Fig. 4 is a rear elevational view oi the machin'` mechanism which is capable of multiplication.

and requires little or no adjustment and the co- The full nature oi the invention will be underand is taken from the oppositev direction that Fig. 2 is taken.

Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of a portion of the mechanism shown most clearly in Fig. 2 and which consists of the cutting knives which 6 cut the bale wire to length prior to formation ci the twisted anchor loop therein and shows the parts in the wire severing position.

Fig. 6 is a front elevational view of the twisted loop forming mechanism. 10

Fig. '1 is a similar view thereof taken at right angles. i

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 6 and in the direction of the arrows, Figs. 6,

7 and s illustrating said parts in the initial loop 15 forming position previous to` the formation of the twist for permanent formation of the loop.

Fig. 9 is a front elevational view, with parts in section of the tilting platform and the actuating mechanism therefor, full lines indicating the wire go segment supporting position and dotted lines indicating the releasing portion.

Fig. 1 0 is an elevational view of the combination, latch, lock dog and clutch positioned on the end of the main power shaft opposite the pulley. zu

Fig. 11 is an elevational view of one ofthe bale ties made by the machine, the subject matter of this invention. l

To provide a preliminary foundation for a correct understanding of the operation of the mao chine andinterrelationship lof the respective parts hereinafter to be described, said operation may be briefly summarized as follows:

The wire is mounted on a rotatable reel. The wire stock usually is in reel or roll form. The free end of the wire is passed between friction feed rolls which are initially caused 'to feed a predetermined amount of wire through the machine and upon that predetermined amount being fed through the machine, the feed rolls are operatively dissassociated from the wire and inasmuch as the wire supply is taken from the supply reel by means of the pulling force of the friction rolls, additional wire supply at that time is not effected. Following stoppage of such feeding, the a cutting mechanism automatically severs the wire, the length of which has been predetermined, as previously set forth. Previous to this severance, the extended 1ength of wire has been gripped by other mechanism and held stationary. Follow--4 wing severance o! the predetermined length from the main wire supply, the loop forming mechanism becomes operative in association with the holding mechanismand the end portion of the predetermined length of wire adjacent the sevu erance,l is moved into loop formation and is held therein.

anisms and the wire is discharged to any suitable collection device. If desired, the wire may be ed onto a tiltable table which at the time of release from the twisting mechanism, autols matically is tilted to discharge to the receptacle or collection device for the completely formed bale wires. At this time it is to be further observed that the constraint imposed upon the feeding rolls to insure feeding is removed only during-the U cutting period so that at the time of cut, the wire l is stationary but thereafter the constraint is automatically/imposed on said wheels so that the wires continue to feed a subsequent length of wire into the machine while the loop is being formed and il the anchorage is being formed so that immediately upon discharge of the bale wire following its formation, the device is conditioned to begin the immediate fabrication of a second bale wire. This assures an overlapping of the timecycle so that the capacity of the machine is not determined by `the summation of time of all of the operations ileinbefore noted but is materially less than This overlapping, as it were, is both in the I6 matter of .time and in the embodiment of the invention is in the matter of positioning. The incoming subsequent wirelength is positioned in 'superposed relation while the other loop forming operations are being performed on the other lower level wire length.

With this briefA explanation or outline of the general operation vof the machinemreference will now be had to the several figures of the drawings.

In Figs. 2 to 4. inclusive, lll indicates a base 4i structure from which there extends upwardly suitable uprights Il in the form of angles or the like, and a parallel channel l2. The channel I2 may be braced as at l2a.

A platform structure is indicated by the lit-'numeral I3 and is carried by the upper ends -of said members Il and I2. suitably secured to the platform structure is an angle iron extension I4. Also carried by the angle irons Il are the outwardly extending angle irons I5, one being se- Il cured to one angle iron Il and the other vbeing suitable secured to the other angle iron Il, and gin: geing positioned above the other, as shown in Buitably supported on the platform is a motor n Il, the shaft of which mounts a driving pulley I1 adapted to drive a belt li carried by" a power pulley Il. The power pulley is mounted on the shaft 20 in turn rotatably supported in outboard bearings 2| basically carried by the upright chan- Il nel m'ember I2 constituting the main portion of the frame of the machine, these'outboard bearing support portions 'being indicated by the numeral 22in1l'lg.1.

Also extending forwardly or oppositely vfrom 1s said portions 22 are the portions 23 which carry tale angle iron I4 that extends parallel to the shaft c suitably supported parallel to the shaft y2| is a rock shaft 24 mounting at one end an arm 2i u whichis oonstrainedby means of aspring 26 into.

predetermined position. 'I'he opposite end of said shaft mounts an arm 21 and the same has an end 21a that constitutes a stop. The shaft 24 also carries an' arm 28 having an adjustable cam portion 29 mounted near the outer end 5 thereof.

A shaft l transverse to shafts 20 and 24 is suitably supported in appropriate bearings and carries a worm wheel 3l, to which reference will be had hereinafter, and by which the shaft Il is rotated. The shaft ill-adjustably mounts a cam supporting member I2, herein shown providedwith three cam portions 3l adapted to successively engage the portion 29 to successively elevate the arm 28 and cause it to rock the shaft 24 in oppo- 15 sition to the constraint imposed by spring 2l and thus elevate the stop member 21 and more especially elevate the end '21a out of stopping position to permit other mechanism to thereafter function and which mechanism will be hereinafter described more fully. v

The shaft 20 mounts a worm 34 that meshes with the worm wheel 3| so that with the mechanism previously described, for each revolution of the pulley Il, the stop member will effect a release of the mechanism three times per revolution, rst mentioned.

Also mounted on the shaft 20 is-a plurality of wire feedingv and guiding wheels. 'I'hese wheels of which only two are illustrated, are indicated 30 by the numeral IB and the periphery thereof is provided with a wire receiving groove 3Q. A shaft 81 is positioned above the shaft 20 and is mounted in suitable bearings so that said shaft I1 can be moved toward and away from shaft 20, as will "the shaft, so that the shaft 31 is rotated at the same rate as the shaft 20, because the two gears are always in mesh and the two gears are so substantiallyidentical. Therefore, since the two wheels 35 and 38 are of substantially the same diameter, they rotate at the same rate and, therefore, the feeding of the wire is by reason of such rotation and through the friction imposed on the wheel 38. The simplest form of bearing structure is in ,the form of elongated slots. indicated by the numeral 40a and thus gravity, assisted by a spring 4I, the tension of which is adjusted as at 42 and o carried by rod 43. causes the shaft 21 to be lowered so that the two wheels are in engagement and the two gears, lastl mentioned, are in mesh. The spring bears upon a member 44 which is plvotally supported-as at 4l and has a-portlon 4l riding as on the shaft $1.

Positive means for relieving the pressure on the spring 4| is provided and this is operable during thel operation of the cutting knives, to-

wit. for severing the wire. The purpose of the 7oaforesaid is to insure the retention of the wire between the two cooperating feeding wheels and to permit the feeding wheels to' rotate during the cutoff movement of the cutting knives but without thefeedingofthewireatthattime. Inthis" and the free end 48` thereof lies beneath the4 actuating cam 46, previously described. When the knife cutting mechanism is initially actuated to insure wire severance, the cam 46 depresses the lever 41 which elevates the extension portion 44 and imposes an opposing constraint upon the spring and thus takes the friction load off the upper wire feeding wheels, permitting said wire feeding wheels to rotate without wire feeding, although still retaining the "wire in operative position between the wheels during the severing operation.

Reference will now be had to Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 5. In Fig. 4 the shaft 20 is shown provided with a bevel pinion 56 which meshes with a bevel gear 51 mounted on the shaft 58 parallel to the shaft 31) and extending forwardly from the shaft 20, the axis of both intersecting.

The other end of the shaft 58 carries a wheel 59 which mounts a pair of pins 60 and 6l on opposite sidessee Fig. 2and carries an eccentric pin 62 that is connected to one end of a connecting rod 63, the latter having an elongated slot 64 therein, in which rides a pin 65 carried by a lever member 66 fulcrumedas at 61. The opposite end of the member 96 is pivotally connected `as at 68 to the link 69, the other end of said link being pivotally connected to a lever 10 as at 1|, said lever being fulcrumed as at 12 and having an actuating arm portion 13 connected as at 14 to a link 15, in turn connected as at 18 to a link 11. I The link 11 at opposite ends is connected to the pivotally mounted cutting knives 18.

These knives are pivotally supported as at 19 and pivotally connected to link 11 at Bil-see Fig. 5. The knife includes an arcuate shaped cutting portion 8l. Lever 10 carries the cam member 46, previously described, so that each time as the movable cutting knives are actuated, the consti-aint imposed on the driving wheels will be removed.

Associated with each cutting knife is a stationary knife 85. The lever member 10 as at 55 pivotally supports aV lever member 54 fulcrumed at 53 on the frame, and the free end of the same is connected to one end of a spring 52, the other end of which is anchored to the frame. This mechanism is provided to return the knife actuating operating mechanism to non-cutting position.

There is interposed between the shaft 29 and the bevel gear`56, a suitable clutch construction to which reference will now be had, and this is shown most clearly in Figs. 1, 3 and 4.

The projecting end-of the shaft 2liv carriesan elliptical plate B4, in turn provided with diametrically positioned rollers carried by the pins 86. The bevel gear 56 includes a hub portion v81 and this is enlarged laterally and parallel to. the body portion of the gear and therebetween is pivotally supported a dog 88 constrained by spring 89 into predetermined position. This do'g has, a cam face 88a which when the dog is released to its `constraint, is tilted into operative position so as to be engaged by one of the rollers 95 that next presented to it.

The opposite end of the dog has a tail portion 89h which normally is positioned, due to its constraint imposed by the spring 89 so that the dog is retracted so far as this driving cam face is concerned andthe stop portion is projected. This stop portion, in the rotation of the gear 56, engages the stop face 21a of the arm 21 and continued rotation causes the driving Wheel or roller to disengage from the driving face 88a of the Ydog, and thus the elliptical shaft plate 84 can continue to rotate with shaft 20 without any further rotation of the gear 5B. During the time,-

however, that the dog has its cam face operatively engaged with one of the rollers 85, the gear 56 will rotate with shaft 20 and will cause the shaft 58 to also rotate therewith and at the same rate, since the two gears 56 and 51 are subfstantially identical and at the time this driving is effected, the shaft 2U is directly coupled to the gear 56. The gear 56, however, is only capable of one revolution before the dog 88 by reason of its spring 89, is caused to have this stop portion 88h engage the stop face 21a of the arm 21, as previously described. Y

While the wire segments thus severed normally drop by gravity to theloop and twist forming mechanism, there is'in this invention includeda positive means for insuring lowering of this severed wire and delivery of the same to said mechanisms hereinafter to be described, and in predetermined position. l In other words, not only is the wire positively lowered but it is guided to said mechanism following severance from the main stock.

Extending upwardly-see Fig. ZV-is a pair of spaced tubular guides 90 in each of which there is slidably .mounted a rod 9i having an angular end 92. said guides 99 and extend through the strap llt. Adjustably supported on the ends of the rods, as at 94, is a cross member 95. the two cross members 93 and 95, are suitable means normally tending to elevate the rod 9i, and, therefore, the lateral portions 92 thereof. The elevated position is illustrated in Fig. 2. This constraining spring means is shown as two springs 96, each concentric with one of the rods 9 l.

A link 91 "is connected at one end of the member 95 and its opposite end is connected to a lever 99 fulcrumed as at 99 on the frame of the machine. The lever 98 has a tail portion |00 and this tail portion hangs downwardly and is adapted to be engaged by roller |01 carried by the eccentric pin 62, previously described as mounting the arm or link 63. Upon engagement of the roller 10.1 with the tail `portion 100 of the cam type lever 98, the member 95 is lowered in opposition to springs 96 and this causes the lateral portions 92 to also lower. This lowering movementtakes place immediately following the cutting of the wires.

It will be observed that the knives 18 show the wire cutting portions 8| slightly above the angular portions 92 of this depresser arrangement, but it will also be noted-see Fig.5'that when these knives are tilted counterclockwise, the knife cutting portions 8 l .will lie below the uppermost position of the lateral portions 92 so that immediatelyupon severance, the severed wire portions, which are therebeneath, are caused to be forced downwardly and positively, if gravity does not effect the same, by the angular portions 92 becoming operative, asstated, immediately following wire severance.

The severed portions of the wire are caused The two rods project upwardly beyond Interposed between to ride downwardly on the inclined beveled face |02 of the member |03. This member |03 near its lower end has a V-shaped mouth |04 leading into a lateral slot |05. This is a Wire receiving slot and receives the severed wire portion, as will be hereinafter pointed out, and by mechanism to be described. This mechanism also is clearly illustrated in Figs.` 6 to 8, inclusive.

A pair of vertically mounted shafts |06 at their upper ends mount gears |01 that mesh with the rack |08 suitably guided by the frame portion |09. The rack at one end as at ||0 is pivoted to a lever l. lThe vertical upward extension of each shaft |06 mounts the collar portion 2 which in offset relation carries a pair of spaced parallel upwardly extending folding portions I I3. These folding portions are provided in one face with a V-shaped groove |4. At the proper interval, followingv severance and depression of the .severed wire intoposition, the rack is actuated to cause the pinion to rotate, which in turn causes the parallel, V-shaped members to rotate. In ,doing so, these V-shaped members engage the wire segment immediatelyNadjacent the severed end and cause it to assume a loop form` because the severed end of the wire is caused to move' around a depending conical portion ||5. This depending conical portion is carried by an offset portion ||6 on the shaft ||1 to which reference will be had hereinafter.

The member |03 when in loop holding position nests between the two parallel wire holding poruns Hs. This is shown c1ear1y in Figs. 6, 7 and 8, which shows the wire previous to the twisting operation. To insure positive clamping of the wire, the member |03 is caused to move to the left-see Fig. G-andas hereinafter pointed out.

Suffice to say, this shaft ll1'following loop formation, is caused to rotate and this forms the twist type anchorage. It is also to be noted the Wire support and -guiding structure |03 is car-v ried by a cross member ||8 which is slidably supported in a guide structure ||9 carried by the machine. This member ||8 includes a plurality of elongated slots |20 and guide pins |2| carried by the machine ride therein. The member ||8 is c'aused to reciprocate at apredetermined time for wire clamping.

As previously set forth-see Fig. 2-the wheel 53 mounts a cam pin 60. 'I'his is adapted to en vgage the `cam face |2| of the lever member Such engagement causes lever to tilt counterclockwise, moving the rack |03 to the left. Upon pin release, the spring |22 secured as at |23 to the rack and as at |24 to the frame, returns the lever and the rack to the full line position, shown in Fig. 2, which Aisthe normal stationary position.

The pin 6| also carried by the plate 53 is adapted to engage one arm |25 of lever pivoted as at '|26 on the frame. Thislever has an arm |21 which is connected by link |23 to an ear |23 carried by thesliding member I3, which carries the wire guiding and holding members |03, and

secures wire clamping. The loop is formed as previously stated. This structure is locked in this position by the following means shown most clearlyin-Figs. 2,

3 and 4. In these gures, a plate |30, which also serves as a bearing for` the lower end of the shaft |06, supports a bracket |3| which pivotally supports at |32 a locking member |33 having the latch portion |34 that cooperates with 'a pin constituting a catch |35 mounted on Vthe lever V| 7l pivoted' as at |36 on the base'structure I0. The

During the entire twisting operation, the loop forming portion of the wire, as shown clearly in Fig. 8, is tightly clamped and is so held in that position until the twisting operation is completed. This clamping force is insufficient to prevent the two parallel portions of the wire section, designated by A in Fig. 8, from slipping in the holder arrangement to provide the appropriate amount of stock necessary forv forming the twist. This frictional holding, however, is important because it insures a close, positive locking twist. If these two parallel portions were not so constrained, this twisting operation would be characterized by the formation of a very sloppy and loose anchor type twist. Means for releasing this locking arrangement is shown most clearly in Fig. 2. Secured to the shaft |26 is an arm |4| which is pivotally connected as at |42 to an arm |43 having an elongated slot |44. Mounted in said slot is a. pin |45 carried by a portion of the frame and serving as a guide for said arm.

Suitably secured to said arm asv at |46--see Fig. 2-is a depending member |41 which is adapted to be engaged by a, pin |48 carried by a gear |49 meshing with the pinion |50. The

gear |49 is carried by shaft 5| and the pinion is carried by the shaft |52. Reference will be had to the power supply later. engages the depending member |41 it moves the bar member |43 to the right and thus rocks the shaft |26 in a direction opposite to that in which it has been previously rocked by reason of pin 6| engaging the arm |25. This reverse rotation of shaft |26 elevates the link |38, and, therefore, elevates the latch member |33 to release the latch from the pin |35 carried by lever A spring |53 is anchored as at |54 to the member |43 at one end and is stationarily anchored at its opposite. end to an extension |54a. It will also be remembered the spring |22 not only returns the rack to the position shown in Fig. 2 but also, by reason of the connection thereof to the lever returns said lever to its normal and initial position.

The mechanism for forming the twist will now be described. Referring first to Figs. 1 and 4, it will be noted the shaft 20 carries a bevel gear |55 which is in constant mesh with a similar gear 5 |56 carried by the shaft |52 transverse to shaft 20, the axes intersecting, said shaft 52 being parallel to the shafts 30 and 58, before mentioned.

A clutch and lock structure substantially simi lar to that previously described as being positioned adjacent the projecting end of the shaft 20 is carried by the shaft |52 and is similarly operable. This clutch structure includes the elliptical member |58 mounting the diametrical pair of rollers |53 on the pins |60. The shaft |52 rotatably supports a gear hub |6| which is confined against axial movement of the shaft |52 by means of a. locating pin |51 riding a groove on said shaft.

C arriedby the hub portion |6| is the dog |62 having the stop portion |63 and the cam portion |64. A spring |65 constrains this pvotally mounted 'dog into operative position so that the catch portion in the rotation incident to theensagement of the roller |59 with the cam portion |64, willv engage the end or stop portion |65 of the member |66--see Fig. l-pivotally supported at lli When this pin be engaged by the cam pin |88 carried by the ing end H8'. y23j rotating member |13 secured to the shaft 58. At the appropriate time, the cam portion |89 engages the end |88a. of the member |86 and tilts this lever structure upwardly so as to disengage or removeV the constraint imposed on the tail portion |83 of the dog structure. The spring |88 thereupon becomes effective and moves the cam portion of this locking dog into position so that it can be engaged by the next presented rolier |59. It will be noted that this elliptical clutch member rotates continuously' and at the same `rate as shaft 23 so` that at the appropriate time the gear |81 previously mentioned, and the sprocket l1| rotate at the same rate as shaft 20.

The sprocket |1| drives a chain |13 which drives two sprocket `pinions |13 rotatably supported in the frame work. Each of these sprocket pinions is carried by a shaft |14 and mounts on the projecting end the portion l| I1` terminating in the conical and .vertically positioned twist- As the shaft |14 rotates for each complete rotation, the hook ||I forms a complete twist in the wire adjacent? the' loop and the number yof twists can be regulated. 'Ihe machine as disclosed herein. forms three complete twlsts.-

The stop lever |88 is normally constrained into stopping posltionby means of the spring |18,

' said spring being secured to one end of the member lll and at its opposite end to an extension |14 lcarried by the frame. The cam pin V|43 tilts this lever member |83 in opposition to' said constraint at the appropriate time. The sprocket |1|see Figs. land Z-'carries a pin |11 adapted to engage in the rotation of the sprocket a tiltable latch member |13 pivotally supported a's at |13 on the plate member |38--see Fig. 2.

`.This latch member is normally constrained into latching position by means of the spring |88 anchored as at |8| to the frame.

Following the twisting operation and 'the cessation of rotation of the twisting hooks, the holding jaws areopened, as previously described, and then the completed, twist anchored loop, wire length is released from4 the twisting hook and falls downwardly on tothe guide |82 andis' collected in the trough |83. It has been determined it iszunnecessary t0 provide a stripping mechanismfor releasin; the loop from the 4nom: twisting member.

However, if desired, such additiwal 4mechanism may be incorporated, and preferably would be associated with the mechanism now .to be de- 'merelyastripofsheetmetal carriedbyanangle' ncludeaalateralextcnsionltmtheiterendof' Bo that the length of wire will notbedeformed during the twisting operatic ,because itis solely supported at that time by holdingv members, a tiltable platform is provided. 'This tiltable platform.- includes a table structure |84 which is iron |98 pivotally supported as at |83' on Ian extension framework |31 .which also supporta' the guide and trough structure ill-|83, previously described.

ihemeansfor tiltingthis support structurels as follows:

Referringmoreespeciallvtolllgs.2|.n l9,shaftA lilwith ann |4| rigid therewith is operable as described, Pivoted at |42 is another arm Ill having a cam typo-latch portirm |88 therein. lAlngle Y iron Ill mounts anupwardextensionor arm lll min( pin lll. Thil is l tiltinl arm. n.111-,

bers 33. The reason for this is that the worm wheel 3| rotates once for thirty revolutions of the worm 34, and, therefore the member 33 will actuate the release to secure rotation of the shaft 54 at the rate of once for every ten revolutions ofthe pulley wheel I9. This permits the pulley wheel to rotate the wire feeding wheels ten times per cycle, which insures the proper feeding length of wire. When it is desired to change the length of the-wire segment or bale tie, the member 32 may be removed and another substituted therefor which would have one or two, four or ve members 33 thereon. If the desired length of wire cannot be obtained by making this type of change, the clutch proper, see Fig. l0, on the end of shaft 2|) together with the bevel gear 56 may be removed and another worm may be substituted which will mesh with another worm wheel also substituted on the shaft 30 so that the proper length of wire segment may be obtained. This worm and worm wheel change may be utilized with or without the substitution of the part 32--33 so that within operating limits a Wide range of selective lengths of bale wires may be obtained.

It will be seen that the length of the wire seg ment which is to have a twisted loop formed therein is determined by one of two substitutions, or both. Inasmuch as the control for the clutch |53 et seq. is actuated from the cam pin |89 carried by shaft I8 only actuated at predetermined interval following the predetermined amount of wire feeding, it will be noted the before mentioned substitution is the only change necessary to be made for varying the lengthof the wire segment, when variations in wire lengths are desired.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in great detail in the drawings and fore going description, the same is to'be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character.

'Ihe several modincations described herein as well as others which will readily suggest themselves to persons skilled in`this art, all are considered tobe within thebroad scope of the invention, reference being had to the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:

l. In a wire handling machine, the combination oi' a'pair of wire feeding rolls, wire cutting means, a single source of power for rotating said rolls Vami operating said means, means interposed between said power and said cutting means for actuating the same cyclicly and intermittently, and means operable in timed relation with the cyclic operation' of the wire cutting means for cessation of wire feeding without cessation of feed roll rotato the operating means, said wire receiving means having an inclined face and a wire receiving groove adjacent the vlower end thereof. a rotative wire holder juxtapositioned relative thereto,

and a depending pivotal portion coaxial with said rotative wire holder, the rotative wire holder being rotatable about the depending pivotal portion for engaging a. wire segment, positioned by the inclined face, adjacent the end of the segment and forming a loop therein in its rotation, and means moving the inclined face receiving means toward the rotative wire holder as the latter approaches its final position for reception of the free end of the segment presented by the rotative wire holder.

3. In a wire handling machine, the combination of wire severing means for forming a wire segment from wire stock presented thereto, wire operating means adjacent thereto, means adjacent the wire severing means adapted to-receive the wire segment and guide the same to the operating meansgsaidlwire receiving means having an inclined face and wire receiving groove adjacent the'lower end thereof, a' rotative wire holder juxtapositioned relative thereto, and a depending pivotal portion coaxial with said rotative wireholder, the rotative wire holder being rotatable about the depending pivotal portion for engaging a wire segment, positioned by the inclined face, adjacent the end of the segment and forming a loop therein in its rotation, and means moving the inclined face receiving means toward the rotative wire holder as the latter approaches its iinal position for reception of the free end of the segment presented by the rotative wire holder, and means rotating the pivotal portion while the cooperating holder and wire receiving recessed means frictionally holds the wiresegment adjacent portions together for providing a twist anchorage therein and permaformation and release from the wire holdingnently nxing the loop.

4.'In a wire handling machine, the combination of wire severing means for forming a wire segment-from wire stock presented thereto, wire operating means adjacent thereto, means adiacent the wirel severing means adapted to receive the wire segment and guide the same to5the operating means, said wire receiving means having an inclined face and wire receiving groove adjacentv the lower end thereof, a rotative wire holder juxtapositioned relative thereto, and a depending pivotal portion coaxial with said rota- -tive wire holder, the rotative wire holder being rotatable about the depending pivotal portion for engaging a wire segment, positioned by the inclined face, adjacent the end of the segment and forming a loop therein in its rotation, and means moving the inclined face receiving means toward the rotative wire holder as the latter approaches its nal position for reception of the free end of the segment presented by the rotative wire holder, means -rotating the pivotal portion while the cooperating holder and wirereceiving recessed means frictionally holds the wire segment adjacent portions together for providing a twist anchorage therein and permanently fixing the loop, and means for stripping the twist anchored loop provided wire segment from `the depending pivotal member following anchoragemeans. v

5. In a wire handling machine, the combination of a source of rotative power, a. wire feeding means operable thereby for feeding a wire,

said feeding means being of the rotatable type,

a wire cutting means intermittently and cyclicly operable by the source of rotative power and '5 adapted to form a wire segment from the wire fed thereto by the wire feeding means, a wire operating means intermittently and cyclicly operable by said source of rotative power, the wire segment formed by the associated cuttinglo means discharging to the wire operating means, the latter being juxtapositioned relative to the cutting and feeding means to permit simultaneous wire feeding of a second wire segment portion during the operation of the wire loperating means upon a previously formed wire segment, and means operatively associated with the wire feeding means to insure non-feeding of the wire during wire cutting means operation, the wire feeding means being continuously operable by the source of power.

6. In a wire handling machine, the combination of a source of rotative power, va wire feeding means operable thereby for feeding a wire, said feeding means being of the rotatable type, a wire cutting means intermittently and cyclicly operable by the source of rotative power and adapted to form a wire segment from the wire fed thereto by the wire feeding means, a wire operating means intermittently and cyclicly op- 30 erable by said source of rotative power, the wire segment formed by the associated cutting means discharging to the wire operating means, the\ latter being juxtapositioned relative to the cutting and feeding means to permit simultaneous $5 l wire feeding of a second wire segment portion during the operation of the wire operating means upon a previously formed wire segment, and means adapted to engage the wire segment following wire segment formation by the cutting 40 means and for conveying the formed segment to the,wire operating means.

7. In a wire handling machine, the combina- -Ation of a sourcej of rotative power, a wire feeding means operable thereby for feeding 'a wire, said feeding means being of the rotatable type. a wire cutting means intermittently and cyclicly operable by the source 'of rotative power and adapted to form a wire segment from the wire fed theretobythe wire feeding means, a wire n operating means intermittently and cyclicly operable by said source of rotative power, the wire segment formed by the associated cutting means vdischarging to the wire operating means, the l latter being juxtapositioned relative to the cutting and feeding means to permit simultaneous f wire feeding of a second wire segment portion" Y during the operation of the wire operating means GEORGE W. WHI'I'I'INGTON. 

